The Demigod Games Book One: Knives of Blood

Chapter Twelve: If The World Was Different

Disclaimer: I don't own Hunger Games or Percy Jackson

Chapter Twelve: If The World Was Different

Katie couldn't help it- she stared at Travis.

They had camped out in a small cave on the side of a mountain, surrounded by tall fields of grass. Katie had volunteered to take first watch.

It was just so hard not to stare. Katie would never admit it, but Travis was handsome. And muscular. But his inner qualities didn't really match his appearance.

Just another reason not to judge a book by its cover, Katie thought to herself.

But Travis had teamed up with her, for better or for worse. It didn't even matter if Katie refused. Travis could kill her. Easily. She liked to think that he wouldn't do that, but still... if he wanted to, he could.

Katie didn't know Travis was awake until he started talking.

"See something you like?"

Katie jumped at the sound of his voice, then blushed beet red when his words sunk in.

"N-no," she stammered. I will not act like some love struck fool, she thought to herself. We're in the Hunger Games, for Christ's sake!

"I was just contemplating what an idiot you are," Katie said.

Travis sighed. "Give it up Katie. How can you be so uptight all the time? Don't you ever just want to let go? Have fun for once?"

Katie stiffened. Her eyes hardened in anger. "Of course I want to!" She said. "But I can't, because there are people like you who need to be kept in control."

Travis snorted. "Kept in control? Is this the whole thing about you hating me?"

"I don't hate you," Katie muttered. She hadn't meant for Travis to hear, but apparently he did.

"Really?" Travis said softly. He scooted closer to Katie.

"You're annoying, yes. Idiotic, most definitely! But do I hate you? No." Katie scooted closer to Travis, even though she didn't mean to. Her body had a mind of its own.

"What about all the pranks Connor and I pulled on you?" Travis asked.

Katie sighed. "I actually thought that most of those were kind of funny. Except for the bat trick!" She said, pointing at Travis.

Travis grinned. "The bat trick. Not my finest."

Katie laughed. A real, actual laugh. She hadn't laughed like that in so long, she had forgotten what it felt like.

Travis looked at her in surprise. "Did Katie Gardner actually laugh?"

Katie punched his arm lightly. "Shut up, Stoll."

Katie didn't notice it until now, but they'd moved so close their hips were touching. Sighing, she leaned her head on Travis's shoulder.

Travis was surprised at first, but he slowly relaxed. Gently, he slung his arm around Katie's waist. Looking down, he watched as Katie's emerald green eyes flickered as she stared at the sky.

"I always loved the stars," she whispered.

Looking up, she locked eyes with Travis. And before he even knew what he was doing, Travis leaned down and kissed her.

Katie stiffened in surprise as Travis's lips touched her own. But slowly she relaxed and returned the kiss.

Their lips molded perfectly to each other's. Katie felt her eyes flutter in delight at the emotions she was feeling. Here, being with Travis, kissing him... it just felt so right.